In memory of ‘Uncle Max’

Please sign in to read more articles

The ocean may have led our ancestors to places – including the land we call home today - but for Sean Rasmussen, it is a connection of the human heart to heaven.

Sean is the nephew of the late Max Rasmussen, who was a loyal member of the Samoa International Game Fishing Association.

Mr. Rasmussen was always present at every international game fishing tournament until this year.

Sean said he has been thinking a lot about his uncle. And when he hooked the catch of the day on Thursday with a 44.9 yellow fin tuna, he dedicated it to his memory.

For the 30-year-old it was more than just a competition, the last time he competed was 13 years ago and to join once again after the passing of his uncle was no coincidence.

Sean will always be a proud Team Razzee at heart. This year’s competition has definitely stood out for him.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The best thing about this tournament has been spending time with my family especially my uncles and cousins. My family has a strong fishing legacy and every year Uncle Max and my Dad would fish together in this tournament.

“This year will be the first year that he won’t be fishing with Dad which is another reason why I pushed hard to come this time round to be there for my Dad. This is my second time in the tournament the first time was 13 years ago when I was 17,” he said.

He adds that his father came to every tournament and since the competition had started he only missed one tournament. This year to stand alongside his father makes this trip more special.

“Every year I try to come and so this year was the first time to be able to come with my dad so it’s pretty special.”

Being in the tropical ocean once again was a story for the books for Sean and catching the 44.9 fin tuna was the testament of his journey in the sea.

“We’d been cruising all day got nothing at all. Then at 3pm we were out at sea and there were 6 boats out there and we were all chasing the same fish.

“Then we saw two boats caught in a fake hook and they weren’t doing anything about it so we were about to radio it in and then our line went off.

“We started hauling it in; it took 45 mins to haul in. It’s the biggest fish I have ever caught and it’s the first yellow fin I have caught as well which made it very special.”